Lorain man shot, suspect surrenders to police

A Lorain man was shot and another was charged in the alleged crime after the pair was involved in an early morning dispute following a bonfire and cookout Aug. 23.
Michael Esper, 28, of 1233 W. 26th St. in Lorain, surrendered to police Aug. 23 for the alleged shooting of the 40-year-old Lorain man.
Esper arrived at the Lorain Police Department with his attorney at 10:50 a.m., according to police.
According to a Lorain police report:
Officers responded to 1134 W. 19th Street at 3:02 a.m. Aug. 23 in regards to a male at the home who had been shot.
When they arrived, officers found the 40-year-old victim lying on the ground unresponsive and bleeding heavily from his chest.
The man appeared to have suffered a single gunshot wound from a .45-caliber firearm.
Officers located a live .45-caliber round about 5 feet from where the victim was lying.
Police attempted to question Abby Romero, 30, 1622 New Jersey Ave., regarding the incident, but she refused to cooperate, the report said.
Later, Romero told another officer at the scene she saw Esper and his 28-year-old girlfriend sitting around a fire in the back yard. An argument ensued, and she saw Esper walk over to the victim and shoot him before fleeing.
LifeCare arrived and began treating the man’s wounds. The victim became responsive, and when asked who had shot him, he responded it was Esper.
According to a neighbor who attended the gathering, she left the party about 11:30 p.m., and shortly before 3 a.m., she heard an argument break out between four people in the back yard of the home before hearing a “loud bang.”
During his arrest, Esper’s attorney handed over to police a plastic bag containing a .45-caliber handgun, a magazine containing 10 rounds and one spent .45-caliber casing.
The victim was transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center and later flown by Life Flight to MetroHealth in Cleveland.
He is listed in fair condition, according to Jonah Rosenblum, assistant media relations manager for the hospital.
Romero was arrested and charged with obstruction of official business for failing to provide information when officers initially responded to the call.
Esper was charged with felonious assault and is being held in Lorain City Jail. He was scheduled to appear in Lorain Municipal Court on Aug. 25.